Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse

by Microsoft

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 3 x 9.6 inches ; 3.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001F7ARTQ
• Item model number: 5BA-00001
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (173 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 14, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer

Overview: A Notebook Mouse That Works on Virtually Any Surface. The Microsoft® Explorer Mouse, with revolutionary Microsoft BlueTrack™ Technology, works more places than ever before, including on granite countertops, living room or airport carpets—even on a wood table or rough, unfinished park bench.

Features:

Snap In and Go Simply snap in the transceiver to turn off the mouse, saving battery life.		Reliable Wireless Microsoft 2.4 GHz wireless delivers a reliable connection with up to a 30-foot range.		Sophisticated Design and Comfort The glowing blue light effects and comfortable curved surfaces set your mouse apart.

Additional Features:

• Go Anywhere - Microsoft BlueTrack Technology™ combines the power of optical with the precision of laser for remarkable tracking on more surfaces.*
• 5-Button Mouse - Get quick access to the media, programs, and files you use most often with customizable buttons.
• 4-Way Scrolling - Scroll side to side as well as up and down.

What is BlueTrack? Microsoft’s proprietary BlueTrack™ Technology works on more surfaces than both optical and laser mice.** It uses high-angle imaging optics to generate an accurate picture of the surface.
		Now track more accurately on:
		Granite		Carpet		Wood

System Requirements Windows Vista®/Windows XP 100 MB Mac OS X v10.2.x-10.5x 30 MB USB Port CD drive 1 AA alkaline battery (included)

Also Available: Microsoft® Explorer Mouse Full-size Mouse for PC

*BlueTrack Technology does not work on clear glass or mirrored surfaces.
**Compared to leading laser and optical mice commercially available spring 2008.

Product Description

The Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse, with revolutionary Microsoft BlueTrackTM Technology, works more places than ever before, including on granite countertops, living room or airport carpets¿even on a wood table or rough, unfinished park bench.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid Mouse, February 11, 2009

By 

D. Tran (Gainesville, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse (Personal Computers)

I'm a bit of a mouse enthusiast, so when Microsoft released the new Explorer and Explorer Mini mice, I had to try them.

To the point, Microsoft has a very, very solid mouse in the Explorer Mini. By far my most favorite feature is the solid feel and ergonomics of the mouse. I find it to be more accommodating to my right hand than the Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks (Black), which is arguably the amongst the best mice in its class. Probably the most notable feature is the new BlueTrack technology that lets this mouse operate on a wide array of surfaces. I tried the mouse on a multitude of surfaces and it performed admirably on most surfaces.

As with most optical/laser mice, the BlueTrack Explorer Mini has problems with highly reflective surfaces, like polished wood, glass, and/or mirror surfaces. Since I never would work on such surfaces, this shortcoming is not too big a deal. However, if your desk is made of a reflective material and you do not plan to use a mouse pad, the Explorer Mini might not be the right mouse (no optical mouse would).

The mouse has the basic left and right click buttons that depress with a slightly shallow, yet satisfying "click". The scroll wheel is continuous (i.e. no bumping or ridges texture feels while scrolling) and silent in operation. The Explorer Mini has forward and back page buttons which just do not feel "right", there is not enough of a tactile feedback.

The wireless dongle is smaller than a typical USB drive, and feels like it is made of cheap plastic. I question the durability of the dongle for long term use. It can be stored under the mouse in a little grooved area. However when stowed in this fashion, the dongle sticks out from the flat mouse bototm.

All in all, as a direct competitor to the Logitech VX Nano, Microsoft has released a solid performing, and great feeling mouse. You really cannot go wrong with the Explorer Mini. Ultimately it's the feel of the mouse and its versatility on a wide array of surfaces that allows me to recommend it as a great all-purpose mouse.

Product Positives
+Ergonomic Feel
+Quiet, continuous scroll wheel
+Satisfying feel of right and left mouse clicks
+Mouse feels solid
+BlueTrack Technology lets you track virtually on any non-reflective surface.

Product Negatives
-Dongle has "plastic" feel and flimsy
-No accommodations for southpaws
-When dongle is in "storage mode" it sticks out from underneath the mouse
-The two thumb buttons don't feel right

Other Thoughts:
*I haven't had the mouse long enough to make a judgment on battery life, but generally these kind of mice using (2.4 ghz frequency) last longer than blue-tooth based mice
*UPDATE* After about 5 months I'm still using the original battery. I am very confident that it would easily last many months more.
*Competitive prices with competing brands like Logitech's VX Nano (also a great mouse)

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Microsoft finally makes a very competitive mouse., January 11, 2009

By 

KTC - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse (Personal Computers)

I have a full drawer of mouses from both Microsoft and Logitech. The closest comparators should be Mobile 8000 by Microsoft and VX Nano by Logitech. Mobile 8000 was very expensive($99, but not anymore) because of its innovative magnetic charging along with 1GM FM. However, these features seems not so favorable and its battery life(2/3 days)is just too short even you can charge and use it simultaneously. So a lot more people use VX Nano, even it does not has forward and backward buttons(they are hard to reach on Mobile 8000 anyway) and designed for both hands, which means it is not ergonomic. This blue light mouse fixs all the problems.

Pros,
1. Perfect shape(ergonomic) and size(similar to VX Nano).
2. Quite Long battery life(4+months)(Microsoft never exaggerate about battery life as I know). I hate rechargable because of power core/adapter, charge base, and additional wire. Once a battery lasts 4 months, who really care to replace it.
3. Somewhat better tracking than 8000 and VX nano even on normal surface. I dont move mouse on carpet anyway.
4. Whenever its receiver taken off the mouse from the bottom or waken from sleep, beautiful blue light around the mouse at base would be glowing. Well, it is nothing to do with functionality. But it is a nice touch. There is a button controlling it. I touch it sometime just for fun, even that will shorten battery life.
5. Backward and farward buttons are easy to reach because of longer and closer to your thumb than 8000(it is impossible to make it big for mini mouse). VX Nano does has any.
6. Buttons are very quiet when you click on them except the middle one. But that is very commn.
7. Personally I favor its smooth yet some resistant scrolling over logitech's very loosing wheel, which could cause opposite directional move at the end of scrolling

Cons.
1. It is heavier and less balaned weight than 8000 because of AA instead of AAA.
2. The usb receiver could be a little bit shorter, like VX nano.

I don't think $50+ is pricey comparing VX Nano. Well, if you think so, just wait a while.

Update:
I double checked the VX Nano mouse. It has forward and backward buttons, but located at the left corner on the top, not the right side.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing notebook mouse, March 6, 2009

By 

Justin Shawn Hubbard (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse (Personal Computers)

I thought I'd never buy another Microsoft mouse and was with Logitech for life. Howevr, I've been getting annoyed recently with the tracking on the VX Revolution I have. When it's on a less than reliable surface, like the arm of a suede couch, it sticks too much for me to coninue using it. I saw something at a tech store about MS's new Bluetrack tech and since I had an Amazon gift card, decided to try it out.

So the main feature: the tracking. it tracks flawlessly on every surface I've tried so far: couch, carpet, canvas bookbag, denim jeans, even a glass end table. The VX will not track at all on the glass, does poor on the canvas, not too bad on the rest. I really am impressed.

I have large hands and love the feel of the VX vs most other notebook mice that are just too small. MS beefed up this design and while it's not spot on to the VX design, it's pretty darn close. If it were a little bit bigger I'd be set.

The look of the MS mouse is pretty sleek. It's more futuristic loking than the VX, which is more sleek and mechanical looking. The blue glow is also a neat touh as opposed to the red lasers out there. You don't see the blue except for when the mouse is off of a surface or when you first power the mouse up. Very neat look but isn't distracting either.

The only other gripe I have about the mouse is the scroll wheel. Maybe I'm used to the VX and it's super-free scroll wheel, but this one feels a bit stiff. It gets the job done and maybe I just need to break it in a bit or get used to it more. Really a very minor gripe.

I couldn't slam the mouse for minor size complaints (probably fine for most). If you need a new mouse, get this thing. You won't be disappointed.